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The Polymer Industry Cluster: Building on our Past – Driving Global Innovation for our Future
The University of Akron is a global leader in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering and has driven innovation in rubber, plastics, and chemicals for decades, creating a foundation for meeting industry's evolving needs. Initial research sponsored by Elevate Greater Akron has concluded that a cluster of innovative polymer companies exists within the region, with opportunities for collaboration to tackle industry-wide challenges. Increasing the collaboration across industry, higher-ed, and economic development can help catalyze large, sustainable growth in the region's economy.
Elevate Greater Akron partners, including Team NEO and The University of Akron, launched the Polymer Industry Cluster initiative to conduct a deeper examination of the region's polymer industry and develop a framework to leverage its full potential. The goal of this work is to elevate Northeast Ohio's polymer industry into a truly dynamic enterprise that is better positioned for strong, sustainable growth in an ever-changing global economy.
The Polymer Industry Cluster has created cross-sector collaboration in R&D, workforce development, startup support, infrastructure projects, and more, representing a growing coalition of higher-ed and economic development partners and over 40 companies. The work of the Polymer Industry Cluster has earned the Akron region the distinguished designation as the Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub of the United States – important recognition that this region is the place to be for innovation and growth in the polymer industry and providing valuable opportunities to bring transformative investment to the region.
Cluster Feasibility
Thriving regional industry clusters are industry-driven, university-fueled, and government-supported. With over 500 rubber, plastic, and chemical companies located in the Northeast region of Ohio, world-renowned universities, and the support of local, state, and federal governments, the emergent Polymer Industry Cluster leverages proven assets and capabilities to drive innovation and growth. We believe a thriving Polymer Industry Cluster will attract more talent to the field, accelerate global R&D achievements, and drive robust economic growth, adding over $2 billion to GRP within a decade.
Cluster Feasibility
Thriving regional industry clusters are industry-driven, university-fueled, and government-supported. With over 500 rubber, plastic, and chemical companies located in the Northeast region of Ohio, world-renowned universities, and the support of local, state, and federal governments, the emergent Polymer Industry Cluster leverages proven assets and capabilities to drive innovation and growth. We believe a thriving Polymer Industry Cluster will attract more talent to the field, accelerate global R&D achievements, and drive robust economic growth, adding over $2 billion to GRP within a decade.
Polymer Industry Advisory Council
The Polymer Industry Advisory Council (PIAC) was created to guide an industry-led vision, set of goals, and strategy to achieve on behalf of the Polymer Industry Cluster. The PIAC is comprised of more than 40 polymer-related companies and institutions from around the region and represents the innovative core of this initiative. The PIAC works to develop vision, align priorities, and design development projects to fill gaps in order to help achieve cluster goals.
Polymer Industry Advisory Council
The Polymer Industry Advisory Council (PIAC) was created to guide an industry-led vision, set of goals, and strategy to achieve on behalf of the Polymer Industry Cluster. The PIAC is comprised of more than 40 polymer-related companies and institutions from around the region and represents the innovative core of this initiative. The PIAC works to develop vision, align priorities, and design development projects to fill gaps in order to help achieve cluster goals.
Assess Industry Challenges and Opportunities
The PIAC works to identify shared challenges, ecosystem gaps, and opportunities that have the potential to drive industry innovation and growth through collective problem solving. These priorities form the basis of the strategic focus of the Polymer Industry Cluster, including work in Research & Development, Workforce, Startup/Entrepreneur Support, and Supply Chain / Value Chain. The Polymer Industry Cluster is intent on securing significant outside funding to drive outcomes in this priority areas of common focus.
Assess Industry Challenges and Opportunities
The PIAC works to identify shared challenges, ecosystem gaps, and opportunities that have the potential to drive industry innovation and growth through collective problem solving. These priorities form the basis of the strategic focus of the Polymer Industry Cluster, including work in Research & Development, Workforce, Startup/Entrepreneur Support, and Supply Chain / Value Chain. The Polymer Industry Cluster is intent on securing significant outside funding to drive outcomes in this priority areas of common focus.
Industry Trends
The global polymer industry is determined to achieve sustainability, and the Polymer Industry Cluster is positioned to lead in this effort from its position in Akron and Northeast Ohio. From feedstocks to end-of-life, we have the drive, technical expertise, and industry buy-in to unlock the power of the Circular Economy. Additionally, as talent needs evolve in the industry, our close network of employers and education & training providers enables our region to stay nimble and adapt programming accordingly.
Industry Trends
The global polymer industry is determined to achieve sustainability, and the Polymer Industry Cluster is positioned to lead in this effort from its position in Akron and Northeast Ohio. From feedstocks to end-of-life, we have the drive, technical expertise, and industry buy-in to unlock the power of the Circular Economy. Additionally, as talent needs evolve in the industry, our close network of employers and education & training providers enables our region to stay nimble and adapt programming accordingly.
Cluster Growth
The Polymer Industry Cluster will leverage existing assets and capabilities that make it a global hub for polymer innovations, and catalyze new growth through improving shared innovation infrastructure, generating significant new support for its entrepreneurial ecosystem, and strengthening and diversifying its talent pipeline through outreach, support services, and programming. This polymer innovation engine pushes the boundaries of the field, and will generate significant economic returns to state, federal, and private investment.
Cluster Growth
The Polymer Industry Cluster will leverage existing assets and capabilities that make it a global hub for polymer innovations, and catalyze new growth through improving shared innovation infrastructure, generating significant new support for its entrepreneurial ecosystem, and strengthening and diversifying its talent pipeline through outreach, support services, and programming. This polymer innovation engine pushes the boundaries of the field, and will generate significant economic returns to state, federal, and private investment.
We’re leading, we’re collaborating, we’re investing. If you
are interested in getting involved in this work or helping
to drive this work, fill out the form below.
We’re leading, we’re collaborating, we’re
investing. If you are interested in getting
involved in this work or helping to drive
this work, fill out the form below.
We’re leading, we’re collaborating, we’re investing. If you are interested in getting involved in this work or helping to drive this work, fill out the form below.
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